Rules & Regulations

PDF of our park Rules & Regulations

• CAUTION MUST BE EXERCISED AT ALL TIMES.

• USE OF THE PARK, AND IT’S FACILITIES, ARE AT YOUR OWN RISK.

• THE CHRISTIANSBURG-MONTGOMERY COUNTY CHAPTER OF THE IZAAK WALTON LEAGUE Will NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ACCIDENTS OR LOSSES WHILE YOU ARE USING THE PARK.

• ANY MEMBERS VIOLATING CLUB RULES WILL BE BROUGHT BEFORE THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR PROPER ACTION.

RULES FOR USING THE CHRISTIANSBURG, VA, IWLA PARK

Rules updated and approved August 16, 2018

1. The Board of Directors and Officers will meet the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m.
   1. (all members welcome to attend but only board members may vote at the board meetings).
   2. Regular member meetings will be held on the third Thursday of each month following the board of directors meeting
   3. (all members are urged to attend)
2. Unruly or vulgar behavior prohibited.
3. Do not exceed 15 mph on road; no parking on dam. DO NOT BLOCK THE ROAD AT ANY TIME.
4. NO HUNTING ON PROPERTY.
5. All members are responsible for helping keep the club property and buildings clean.
   • Pick up trash at the fishing ponds and the shooting ranges.
   • Donate your time, supplies, etc. on workdays.
6. All members are required to wear their cards in a badge holder visible to others.
   • Members should also check for membership cards (the property is posted for non-members).
7. Each adult member may bring two guests per day.
   • Dependents are not allowed to bring guests.
8. Dues of the club are established by the Board of Directors and must be paid on or before December 31st for the
   next year.
   • A late fee will be assessed for renewals received or postmarked after December 31st.
   • Members that do not renew by January 31st must wait one year before being eligible to apply again as a new member.
9. Members are required to perform a minimum number of hours per membership of approved volunteer
   activities each year or be assessed an additional membership surcharge at the time of renewal.
   • The number of hours required shall be set by the Board of Directors.
   • It is the member’s responsibility to perform and document all chapter activities in which the member has participated.
   • Assisting with matches and chapter events, cleaning and maintenance of ranges, ponds, and club grounds, attending chapter meetings, and helping on club work days are examples of chapter activities that qualify as participation hours.
10. Prospective adult members (18 years of age or older) must complete all the following activities per
    membership, to be eligible for renewal:
    1. Pay an initiation fee in addition to the first year membership dues
    2. Complete a new member orientation course
    3. Be vouched for by three (3) active members
    4. Fulfill the volunteer activities requirement as mentioned in rule 9 above
    5. Attend a minimum of three (3) regular chapter meetings
11. Only adult members are eligible to hold office, vote at meetings, and chair committees.
12. All non-members must obtain permission to use the club property from the secretary, caretakers, or the
    president’s appointed representatives to schedule activities.
    • The clubhouse will be kept locked.
    • Keys are available only from the officers and members of the Board of Directors.
13. Any member who by his/her conduct violates the ethics of any of the rules of this chapter or of the National
    Organization may be expelled from membership by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors.
14. Shooting range hours are sunrise to sunset except for officially sanctioned Chapter events.

• CAUTION MUST BE EXERCISED AT ALL TIMES.

• THE CHRISTIANSBURG-MONTGOMERY COUNTY CHAPTER OF THE IZAAK WALTON LEAGUE Will NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ACCIDENTS OR LOSSES WHILE YOU ARE USING THE PARK.

• ALL MEMBERS AND GUESTS USE THE PARK AND IT’S FACILITIES AT THEIR OWN RISK.

• ANY MEMBERS VIOLATING CLUB RULES WILL BE BROUGHT BEFORE THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR PROPER ACTION.

Charges for the use of the park by non-members are:

• Grounds only — $40.00
• House and grounds — $75.00
• Non-profit organizations may use the park free of charge at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
• Members may use the park free of charge but should donate money to pay for electricity, etc.
• Members may enjoy overnight camping for free
  • Campers must check with the park caretakers for location for camping, and to be sure their activities do not interfere with other uses of the park.

FISHING RULES

• Members must sign in BEFORE fishing and must log the number of trout and catfish caught before leaving.
• Both ponds may be used for fishing. Log-in sheets are at both ends of each pond.
• Fishing is allowed from a half hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.
• Only one pole per fisherman. Each fisherman must have a stringer for their fish.
• No live bait (such as minnows, crawfish, or frogs, etc.) may be used to fish.
  • However, crickets, worms, grasshoppers, corn, power-bait, and artificial lures are allowed.
• NO cleaning of fish in the park.
• Each adult member may catch up to 4 trout per day up to a maximum of 25 trout per year.
• Trout caught by a member’s children and guests count toward the adult member’s limit.
  All fish caught may be released.

GENERAL GUN and ARCHERY SAFETY RULES

• ALWAYS keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
• ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
• ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until on the firing line.
• Eye and ear protection is required for all shooters, guests, and spectators.
• Absolutely no alcohol, drugs, or people under the influence allowed on the ranges.
• Pick up all duds and remove from park.
• Do not shoot the wooden target frames, trap houses, concrete walls, trees, wildlife, or any other club structures.
• Members must make sure their dependents and guests understand all range rules and basic firearms and
  archery safety. Members are responsible for the actions of their dependents and guests.
• Only IWLA members and their guests (accompanied by member) are permitted to shoot on the ranges unless
  shooting at a scheduled shoot.
• No one under the age of 18 is allowed to shoot a rifle or shotgun in the park without the supervision of a
  parent, guardian, or designated adult, and no one under the age of 21 is allowed to shoot a handgun in the park
  without the supervision of a parent, guardian, or designated adult.
• Any unsafe behavior or rules violations are grounds for expulsion from the park and termination of
  membership.

PISTOL RANGE RULES

• Handgun calibers only – no rifle calibers or shotguns allowed.
• No guns may be handled if anyone is downrange.
  • All firearms must be unloaded with the action open when the range is cold.
  • Nobody is allowed downrange while the range is hot.
• Range “A” is reserved for stationary shooting of paper targets as well as steel targets.
  • Shooters must not shoot steel targets at a distance of less than 10 yards and must seek full understanding of other shooters with regard to associated risks.
• Range “B” may be used for action pistol shooting.
• Both Ranges “A” and “B” will be used for action pistol shooting during sanctioned events.
• Members and guests may not occupy a bay for more than 30 minutes if others are waiting to shoot.
• Scheduled shoots have priority use of the range.
  • The pistol, rifle, and trap ranges are closed during these events.
  • Action pistol shoots are held every 3rd Saturday morning and at other designated dates.
  • These events are posted on the yearly online calendar, posted on signs on the ranges, and announced in the newsletters.

RIFLE RANGE RULES

• Do not occupy more than one shooting bench when other shooters are present.
• Members and guests may not occupy a bay for more than 30 minutes if others are waiting to shoot.
• No guns may be handled when range is cold, an individual is down range, or a cease fire has been called. The
  action must remain open.
• No one may be down range when either the rifle or the trap range is hot.
• All casings and bullet boxes must be picked up and disposed of appropriately in the recycling container.
• If there are trap shooters occupying the trap range, be sure to communicate with them prior to shooting or
  moving down range.
• Rifle range is closed when an organized trap shooting, action pistol, or 2-gun event is scheduled as follows:
  • The VA. Tech Clay Target Team has the trap range reserved for practice on Fridays during the academic year
    from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Occasional collegiate trap competitions are also held during the year.
  • There are open trap shoots every Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the exception of December, January, and February.
  • ATA registered trap shoots are held on the fourth Sunday of each month and at other designated dates from 8:00
    a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • Action pistol shoots are held every third Saturday morning and on other designated dates.
  • 2-gun matches are held on the 5th Saturday mornings of months that have 5 Saturdays.

0.22 RANGE RULES

• .22 long rifle rimfire only. No other cartridges allowed except for special events
• No shotguns allowed.
• Do not occupy more than one shooting bench when other shooters are present.
• Members and guests may not occupy a bay for more than 30 minutes if others are waiting to shoot.
• No guns may be handled when range is cold, an individual is down range, or a cease fire has been called. The
  action must remain open.
• No one may be down range when range is hot.
• All casings must be picked up and disposed of appropriately.
• Do not park on or block the road leading up to range.

TRAP RANGE RULES

• Do not move from a station with a loaded gun or walk in front of another shooter when changing posts.
• Load only one shell for singles. Load only two shells for doubles.
• No guns may be handled when range is cold, an individual is down range, or a cease fire has been called. The
  action must remain open.
• All duds and misfired shells must be removed from club grounds by the owner.
• Only authorized personnel are permitted forward of the 16 yard line, allowed to load trap machines, and pull
  targets for shooters.
• Only individuals that are shooting are permitted on the trap field unless they have permission from the range
  officer before the round begins.
• If there are shooters occupying the rifle range, be sure to communicate with them prior to shooting or moving
  forward of the 16 yard line.
• Place spent hulls, shell boxes, plastic bottles and other recyclables in the recycle container.
• Be aware of when the safety flag or orange cone is raised from the trap house and keep gun unloaded until the
  all clear sign is given.
• In handicap there shall be no more than two yards difference between adjacent shooters in the squad and no
  more than a total difference of three yards in a squad.
• Trap range is closed when an organized trap shoot, action pistol event, 2-gun match, or other club sanctioned
  event on the trap range is scheduled.

BLACK POWDER RULES

• No loaded firearm shall be taken from the firing line.
• Propellant has to be black powder or any BATF approved black powder substitute only.
• A separate powder measure or holder must be used to carry the powder charge from container to the muzzle
  of the gun.
• Charging directly from horn or flask is not permitted.
• Safety glasses and hearing protection are REQUIRED.
• Blowing down the barrel to clear a spark is strictly prohibited. Swabbing the barrel with a damp patch may be
  used and is recommended.
• Under no circumstances shall muzzleloader rifles or pistols be loaded directly from can, jar or powder horn
  without use of a powder measure.
  • Powder cans or other containers shall not be left uncovered and unprotected from sparks during shooting.
  • After loading a black powder rifle or pistol, percussion or flint, the shooter MUST ASSURE replacement of the powder container’s lid or cap or use of a covered pouring spout.
  • The cap or covered pouring spout shall be used and engaged on powder cans or containers and applied
    after loading at all times to prevent transfer of spark to the powder.
  • Powder horns shall be capped between shots. All flintlock firearms must be loaded with the frizzen and hammer in the forward position.
  • All percussion rifles must be loaded with the hammer in the forward position.
  • A percussion rifle or pistol shall not be loaded with a percussion cap in place.
  • A flintlock rifle or pistol shall not be loaded with the pan charged and frizzen closed.
• A percussion rifle or pistol shall be considered safe when uncharged.
  • That is, unloaded with the hammer on half cock and with NO percussion cap on the nipple.
• A flintlock rifle or pistol shall be considered safe when uncharged.
  • That is, unloaded with the hammer fully forward, the frizzen open and the pan empty.
• Under no circumstances shall a loaded black powder rifle or pistol be removed from the firing line.
• If a request for “cold line” be called when a weapon is charged, it is customary to allow the shooter to fire the
  loaded charge, rendering the weapon safe.
• Do not prime a flintlock rifle or pistol or place a percussion cap on the nipple until the weapon is safely pointed
  downrange when shooting from bench or standing on the firing line ready to shoot.
• When the line is called cold, all weapons shall be grounded or laid on bench with the muzzle offset from anyone
  downrange.

ARCHERY RANGE RULES

• Do not shoot broad head arrows into target butts.
• Shoot only arrows with target or field points.
• When looking for arrows behind target butts, place safety flag in holder located at the shooting line.